Mazda Protege5 Pinging

[Gokhan]

Originally Posted By: Gokhan
Is it a sewing-machine-like sound? It could also be valve clearances out of adjustment. If you have never adjusted them, it's probably time to do so. Your engine seems to require a valve-spring compressor and adjustment shims.

If it happens at high load and low RPM and sounds more like small detonations (kind of like popcorn being made), it's probably ignition timing and/or EGR. Check and adjust the igniting timing. If it doesn't correct it, check the entire EGR system and repair the faulty parts (heavy hard carbon deposits blocking the opening of the EGR valve, torn diaphragm in the EGR vacuum modulator, etc.). You can use a screwdriver as a pick and brake-cleaner fluid to remove the hard carbon deposits in opening of the EGR valve.

 

[WeenieHutJr]

How do you check and adjust ignition timing on a car without a distributor?

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: WeenieHutJr
How do you check and adjust ignition timing on a car without a distributor?


You don't. It's completely controlled by the ECU.

 

[artificialist]

You can't adjust timing on a distributorless engine without reprogramming the ECU. However, you can see ignition timing when using an advanced scan tool. You really don't need to do that in your situation.